Because of the U.S.-Canada border closure, the Blue Jays may play away from TorontoGETTY IMAGES
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins hopes the team will be able to play in Toronto when the '20 MLB season begins, but on Thursday he "acknowledged 'hurdles'" that could prevent games at Rogers Centre, according to Ian Harrison of the AP. The U.S.-Canada border "remains closed to nonessential travel because of the coronavirus pandemic," and while the current deal expires June 21, it is "likely to be extended." The Blue Jays "have considered a range of alternatives" if playing in Toronto is not an option, including games "at their newly-renovated spring stadium in Dunedin, Florida." The team's Triple-A affiliate is in Buffalo, but Atkins "declined to say whether playing there had been considered" (AP, 6/11). Atkins said, "It's not in our control completely. Major League Baseball will be involved, potentially other major league teams will be involved. We know that we can play in Dunedin, we just want to make sure that we exhaust all of our alternatives." TSN.ca's Scott Mitchell noted with rumblings that the Canadian government is "willing to work with the NHL to find a solution that would allow them to use Canadian cities as hubs, those in the Jays' front office remain hopeful Rogers Centre will eventually be an option" (TSN.ca, 6/11).
